February 2022 – Football Flame

Month: February 2022

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NEWS

FIFA refuses to expel Russia from football

Official logo FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar printed on banner during training session on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification at the Olympic stadium in Kyiv.FIFA drew a swift backlash from European nations for not immediately expelling Russia from World Cup qualifying on Sunday (Monday in Manila) and only ordering the country to play without its flag and anthem at neutral venues under the name of its federation — the Football Union of Russia.Protesting against FIFA's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Poland said it would still refuse to play the country in a World Cup playoff semifinal, which is scheduled for March 24.Today's FIFA decision is totally unacceptable," Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza tweeted. "We are not interested in participating ...
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NEWS

Jurgen Klopp makes VAR claim after Liverpool Carabao Cup celebrations

Jurgen Klopp the manager / head coach of Liverpool with the Carabao Cup Trophy during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England.Jurgen Klopp spoke of his delight at being able to celebrate with Liverpool's fans at Wembley after calling for improvements to be made with VAR.The Reds beat Chelsea 11-10 on penalties after a goalless draw in the capital as they collected a record-setting ninth League Cup.Joel Matip had a goal controversially ruled out for an offside on Virgil van Dijk in the second half and while Klopp admitted he was yet to watch it back, he appeared to question the call from Everton's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday when the hosts were contentiously denied a penalty for handball by Rodrigo.I ...
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NEWS

Marseille drop crucial Ligue 1 points

Troyes' French forward Yoann Touzghar (R) fights for the ball with Marseille's Brazilian forward Luis Henrique during the French L1 football match between ES Troyes AC and Olympique de Marseille at Stade de l'Aube in Troyes, north-eastern France, on February 27, 2022.Marseille have missed the chance to move three points clear in second place in Ligue 1 with a last-minute equaliser allowing Troyes to grab a 1-1 home draw.Striker Yoann Touzghar profited from poor Marseille defending to score after playmaker Dimitri Payet's penalty put Marseille ahead in the 28th minute.It was Payet's club-leading ninth league goal of the season.Second place guarantees entry into next season's Champions League with Marseille one point ahead of third-place of Nice.Defending champion Lille's improving defence k...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern boost as Dortmund held at Augsburg

Thorgan Hazard of Borussia Dortmund is challenged by Reece Oxford of FC Augsburg during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on February 27, 2022 in Augsburg, Germany.Borussia Dortmund have been held to a 1-1 draw at Augsburg, meaning Bayern Munich's advantage at the top of the Bundesliga is now a commanding eight points.Thorgan Hazard gave injury-hit Dortmund the lead on 35 minutes but fourth-bottom Augsburg deserved their leveller as Noah Sarenren Bazee headed in off the bar following a scramble on 78 minutes.We didn't do everything right but we had a lot of control of the game, Dortmund coach Marco Rose told DAZN.In the second half we lost a bit of energy.Bayern had won 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday thanks to substitute Leroy Sane's winner...
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SERIE A

Napoli and Roma grab wins with late goals

Lorenzo Insigne of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 27, 2022 in Rome, Italy.Departing Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne has scored one goal and set up a stoppage-time winner to help his side beat Lazio 2-1 and move level on points with AC Milan at the top of Serie A.The top two will clash next weekend.Just as it seemed as though Pedro's late equaliser would prevent Napoli from moving top, Fabian Ruiz combined with Insigne to score the winner in the fourth minute of added time.All the players, including those on the bench and the staff, ran to celebrate in front of the visiting supporters.Insigne, who is leaving Napoli at the end of the season after 15 years to join Toronto FC in Major Leagu...
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LALIGA

Aubameyang, Barcelona continue hot streak

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-0 with Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Athletic de Bilbao at the Camp Nou on February 27, 2022 in Barcelona Spain.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored his fifth goal in three matches as Barcelona maintained their momentum with a 4-0 thumping of Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay also scored for Barca, who regained fourth place in the Spanish top flight.The win at Camp Nou moved Barcelona within a point of third-place Real Betis with a game in hand, althougn they trail leaders Real Madrid by 15 points.Aubameyang was coming off a goal in the Europea League defeat of Napoli on Thursday and a league hat-trick aga...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Moyes praises Soucek after game-winning performance vs Wolves

David Moyes speaks to Tomas Soucek of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England.David Moyes was full of praise for Tomas Soucek after his goal was enough for West Ham to beat Wolves 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.The Hammers boss had said before the game that he would like more goals from Michail Antonio and Soucek before the pair linked up for the hosts’ only goal of the game.Antonio heeded his manager’s words, playing in Soucek in front of goal, which was then tapped home by the Czech Republic international to give West Ham the lead and ultimately, the three points.Soucek scored 10 goals last season for the Hammers but before Sunday had only found the net three times in this campa...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Marcelo Bielsa fired by struggling Leeds United after slump in form

Marcelo Bielsa the head coach / manager of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on February 26, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom.Leeds United parted ways with Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday after their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur left the club hovering above the Premier League relegation zone.Leeds chair Andrea Radrizzani said: This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club.The 66-year-old was in charge of the team for over three-and-a-half years, having taken the reins in June 2018.He transformed the club’s fortunes on the pitch, which began with the 3-1 demolition of Stoke City at Elland Road two months...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Roman Abramovich hands over control of Chelsea to club’s foundation

Roman Abramovich, Owner of Chelsea and Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea pose with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following victory in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea and Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich said Saturday he was handing over the "stewardship and care" of the Premier League club to the trustees of its charitable foundation. The move comes with Russia under intense scrutiny following its invasion of Ukraine this week.Billionaire Abramovich, who took over at Stamford Bridge in 2003, said in a statement: "During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as succe...
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NEWS

Mbappe ensures PSG get back to winning ways

Kylian MBAPPE (psg) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and Rennes at Parc des Princes on February 11, 2022 in Paris, France. Runaway league leaders Paris Saint-Germain have again relied on Kylian Mbappe as they rallied from a goal down to beat lowly Saint-Etienne 3-1.Mbappe has rescued PSG with late goals on numerous occasions this season, on Saturday he scored either side of halftime before providing the assist for midfielder Danilo to net at Parc des Princes.Record seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi set up Mbappe twice as the Frenchman tied Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder on a league-leading 14 goals.Mbappe joined Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 156 goals for PSG -- equal second behind only the 200 scored by Edinson Cavani.The victory moved PSG 16 points clear o...
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BUNDESLIGA

Sane sends Bayern 9 pts clear at Frankfurt

Leroy Sane of FC Bayern Muenchen scores their first goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern München at Deutsche Bank Park on February 26, 2022 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Substitute Leroy Sane has fired Bayern Munich to a hard-fought 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, sending the champions nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.Sane scored with aplomb on 71 minutes on Saturday, just four minutes after coming on, following Joshua Kimmich's perfect pass.Second-placed Borussia Dortmund visit Augsburg on Sunday as they seek to narrow the gap.It was really important. The way we played today was spot on," Kimmich told Sky. "The mentality was really good.Bayern were playing away but still lit up their Allianz Arena back in Munich in the colours of U...
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SERIE A

Vlahovic gets job done for depleted Juve

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus reacts after winning the Serie A match between Empoli FC and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 26, 2022 in Empoli, Italy.Dusan Vlahovic has scored twice as injury-depleted Juventus won 3-2 at Empoli to move to within seven points of Serie A leaders AC Milan.Vlahovic netted his first goal on the stroke of halftime after Szymon Zurkowski had canceled out Moise Kean's opener for Juventus.The 22-year-old Vlahovic doubled his tally and looked to have all but sealed the result in the 66th minute before a goal from Empoli substitute Andrea La Mantia led to a nervy finale.Vlahovic will return to Fiorentina on Wednesday -- in the Italian Cup semifinals -- for the first time since his acrimonious departure last month.My feelings are a bit mixed, I don't know ...
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LALIGA

Stop War message clear at La Liga games

The stadium lights up blue and yellow in support of Ukraine prior to the LaLiga Santander match between Club Atletico de Madrid and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 26, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.Like so many times this season for La Liga leaders Real Madrid, when Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior click defences crumble.Benzema scored late from a Vinicius assist as Madrid overcame Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to increase the gap over second-place Sevilla to nine points.Champions Atletico Madrid took a stand against Russia's invasion of Ukraine before beating Celta Vigo 2-0.Before kick-off, Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was lit with the yellow and blue colours of the Ukraine flag and bore the message Stop War.The same message was then flashed inside the stadium during t...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wasteful Man Utd held by Watford

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United battles for possession with Joshua King of Watford FC during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Watford at Old Trafford on February 26, 2022 in Manchester, England. Manchester United dropped two more points in their quest for a Champions League place as they were held at home by relegation-threatened Watford.And the Red Devils left the field to boos after the goalless draw, despite dominating at Old Trafford.United had 22 shots against Roy Hodgson's side but the only time they found the net, Cristiano Ronaldo was offside.Ronaldo also hit a post and struck team-mate Anthony Elanga with a goal-bound shot.Elanga also failed to provide the finish to a flowing move, while Bruno Fernandes was unable to capitalise on two excellent fi...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham Hotspur picked Leeds apart in vital 4-0 victory

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores a goal to make it 0-3 during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on February 26, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom. A clinical first half Tottenham offensive outburst against the worst defensive side in the league helped Tottenham secure a vital 4-0 victory. Spurs 4-0 win was exactly the result they were looking for as they try to climb their way back into contention for a Champions League berth. It was also Tottenham’s first clean sheet in 11 matches.Matthew Doherty finally scored his first Tottenham goal thanks to lightning-quick break put in motion by an intelligent, pinpoint Harry Winks through ball. Providing the outlet option, Ryan Sessegnon dashed down the left wing and received the pass...
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LALIGA

Levante score rare victory in La Liga

Gerard Gumbau of Elche CF and Jose Luis Morales of UD Levante battle for the ball during the La Liga Santader match between Levante UD and Elche CF at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on February 25, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.Last-placed Levante have defeated Elche 3-0 for only the third win of their Spanish league campaign.Jose Luis Morales, Jorge de Frutos and Gonzalo Melero scored for the hosts, who moved within six points of safety ahead of the weekend matches.Levante's other wins were against Mallorca in January and at defending champions Atletico Madrid this month.They drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo in their last match.Elche were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute following a straight red card to midfielder Gerard Gumbau for an over zealous challenge.Elche, sitting in 13th place, had won four of...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Former Wolves chief returns to Premier League as Everton director of football

Kevin ThelwellFormer Wolverhampton Wanderers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has been named Everton's new director of football.Thelwell will replace Marcel Brands at Goodison Park who left in early December, over a month before manager Rafa Benitez departed earlier this year.The 48-year-old, a club statement says, will report directly to the club's board of directors and is a key part of the club’s ongoing strategic review of its football strategy and operation, which included the appointment of Frank Lampard as its new manager.In the aforementioned statement, Thelwell has spoken about the announcement.I’m so pleased to be joining Everton and to have the opportunity to play a part in the club’s ambitious journey, Thelwell said. I’m greatly looking forward to working with Frank and th...
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SERIE A

Inter’s disappointing run continues against Genoa

Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale looks dejected during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 25, 2022 in Genoa, Italy.Inter Milan’s disappointing run of form continued as they missed the chance to move level on points with Serie A leaders AC Milan at the top of the standings after being held to a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Genoa. The draw stretched the champions’ winless league run to four games.Inter had the better opportunities to open the scoring in the first half, with Hakan Calhanoglu firing wide early on from a great position.The Italian champions seemed to run out of ideas in the second half struggling to create dangerous openings. Stefano Sturaro almost snatched a famous win for Genoa late on.Inter remain two poin...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl speaks after his side beat Norwich City

Oriol Romeu(L) of Southampton is congratulated by Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl during the Premier League match between Southampton and Norwich City at St Mary's Stadium on February 25, 2022 in Southampton, England.Ralph Hasenhuttl labelled Saints’ victory over Norwich a “tough win” despite the stats suggesting otherwise.Akin to their comfortable win over Everton last Saturday, Saints controlled the game without having to exert much effort onto their opponents, eventually coming out 2-0 winners.Che Adams bundled the ball home to give Saints a first-half lead, before Oriol Romeu’s thunderbolt from outside the box in the final minutes sealed back-to-back wins.Coming into the game Saints were expected to win due to the differing form and league positions of the two sides, but boss Hase...
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NEWS

Europa League draw: West Ham to face Sevilla, Barcelona draw Galatasaray, Rangers vs Red Star

Screen with the logo inscription of UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE with fans in the stadium during the Europa League game between Belgian soccer team Royal Antwerp FC and Greek soccer team Olympiacos Pireaus FC, in Group D of the UEFA Europa League group stage. Bosuilstadion stadium in Antwerpen, Belgium on December 9, 2021.West Ham have been drawn against Sevilla in the Europa League round of 16.Rangers will face a tricky trip to Serbia as they have been matched up with Red Star Belgrade, while Barcelona will take on Galatasaray.Rangers reached this stage of the competition after finishing second in their group. They then overcame Borussia Dortmund 6-4 on aggregate in the first knockout round.West Ham won their group and avoided having to compete in the first knockout round as a result.Barcelona, mea...
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